Dental implant

Abstract

A dental implant for anchoring in a bone structure, comprising a head intended to support a dental prosthesis and a threaded root of cylindrical substance, in which the threaded root has an internal cavity and a lateral orifice through which this internal cavity opens out on the external lateral face of the root. The axial position of this orifice is such that when the implant is in position, this orifice opens out on a medullary zone of the bone structure

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A kit designed for fitting a dental implant in place, comprising: 
       a dental implant for anchoring in a bone structure, comprising a head intended to support a dental prosthesis and a threaded root of cylindrical substance, wherein the threaded root has an internal cavity and at least one lateral orifice through which said internal cavity opens out on the external lateral face of the root, the axial position of said orifice being such that when the implant is in position, said at least one orifice opens out on a medullary zone of the bone structure;  
       a biocompatible hardenable fluid;  
       a device for indicating the position of the lateral orifice of the implant;  
       a hollow needle injection device for injecting the biocompatible hardenable fluid through the bone and into the internal cavity of the implant when the implant is in place; and  
       a spatula which is retractable in the hollow needle.  
     
     
       2. A kit designed for fitting a dental implant in place according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow needle is made of a shape-memory metal, capable of changing from an initial straight shape to a curved shape. 
     
     
       3. Method for fixing a dental implant in a jaw bone, which method comprises the following operations: 
       drilling a hole in the jaw bone from its cortical wall as far as a medullary zone in such a way as to form an alveolus with the dimensions of an implant;  
       screwing into place an implant whose threaded root has an internal cavity, at least one lateral orifice connecting this internal cavity and the external lateral face of the root, the axial position of this orifice being such that when the implant is in position, this at least one orifice opens out on a medullary zone of the bone structure;  
       inserting a hollow needle through the jaw bone as far as the alveolus;  
       injecting a biocompatible hardenable fluid into the internal cavity of the implant;  
       distributing the hardenable fluid in the volume around the prosthesis, in the lateral orifices and in the internal cavity of the implant;  
       partially withdrawing the hollow needle;  
       distributing the hardenable fluid in the medullary zone of the jaw;  
       leaving the hardenable fluid to harden.  
     
     
       4. Method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the method comprises the following operations: 
       inserting a hollow needle through the jaw bone to a point below the mucosa of the maxillary sinus, substantially level with the alveolus of the implant;  
       deploying a spatula via the hollow needle;  
       detaching the mucosa from the bone using the spatula.  
     
     
       5. Method as claimed in claims  3  or  4  wherein a hollow needle is used made of a shape-memory metal, capable of changing from an initial straight shape to a curved shape. 
     
     
       6. A method for fixing a dental implant in a jaw bone, said method comprising: 
       drilling a hole in a jaw bone from the cortical wall as far as a medullary zone in such a way as to form an alveolus with the dimensions of an implant;  
       screwing into place an implant, said implant having a threaded root with an internal cavity, at least one lateral orifice connecting the internal cavity and an external lateral face of the root, the axial position of the at least one orifice being such that when the implant is in position, the at least one orifice opens out on a medullary zone of the bone structure;  
       inserting a hollow needle through the jaw bone as far as the alveolus;  
       injecting a biocompatible hardenable fluid into the internal cavity of the implant so as to distribute the hardenable fluid in the volume around the implant, in the at least one lateral orifice and in the internal cavity of the implant,  
       partially withdrawing the hollow needle;  
       distributing the hardenable fluid in the medullary zone of the jaw; and  
       allowing the hardenable fluid to harden.  
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
       inserting a second hollow needle through the jaw bone to a point below the mucosa of the maxillary sinus, substantially level with the alveolus of the implant;  
       deploying a spatula via the second hollow needle; and  
       detaching a portion of the mucosa from the bone using the spatula.